Occupancy rate
60%
Lower than the California average: 72.8%
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · Santa Maria, CA
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · Santa Maria, CA
Overview of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Highlighting seniors’ needs and aspirations, Merril Gardens at Santa Maria is a respected senior living community situated on the serene grounds of Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features over 200 snug and sophisticated accommodations in various studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring seniors experience unmatched comfort and convenience. With a dedicated and highly qualified team delivering top-tier care and assistance, seniors ease their minds and experience a glorious retirement.
Mingle with people from different backgrounds and learn new things through enjoyable events and exciting activities. Treat yourself to a lifetime vacation with the luxurious spaces of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Available at every time of the day, seniors enjoy delicious and healthy meals for dietary satisfaction. Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is ideal for seniors aiming to optimize their independence while keeping their peace of mind.
330-bed community
A large-scale community that may provide a wide range of amenities, services, and structured programs.
4 years in operation
An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.
Walk Score: 20 / 100
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)
An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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About this community
Occupancy
Lower than the California average: 72.8%
Occupied beds
197 / 330
Average residents per home in California
87 per day
AwardsMontessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credentialed Community, Bronze Level, Great Place to Work 2024-2025
Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly
StatusLicensed
IssuanceSeptember 10, 2021
CountySanta Barbara
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is legally operated by Mg At Santa Maria, Lp ; Shi-iv Merrill Gp, Llc ; M, and administrated by Michael Easbey.
Licensed Nurses/CNAs
24-Hour Staffing
HousekeepingYes
Resident Call System
Transportation Options
Anytime Dining
On-Site Maintenance
Weekly Housekeeping
Swimming Pool
Pets Welcome
Wellness Program
Starting Price$3,300 per month
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 410 / 426 / 436 / 449-557 / 552-654 / 577 / 619 / 665 / 932 / 779 / 982 / 1071 / 1289 sq. ft
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: 3-story
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Types of Care at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Inspection History
In California, the Department of Social Services (for assisted living facilities) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.
Since 2021 · 5 years of data
2 citations
15 total visits
6 complaint visits
4 official inspections
5 complaint investigations
Inspection Scorecard
This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the California state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Since 2021 vs. California state average
Overall vs. CA average
0 Worse
No metrics in this bucket.
1 At Avg
Metrics at California average:
• Official inspections (at CA avg) 9 Better Metrics better than California average:
• Total citations (80% below)
• Serious citations (Type A) (67% below)
• Moderate citations (Type B) (75% below)
• Citations per year (80% below)
• Citations per inspection (97% below)
• Total visits (6% below)
• Complaint visits (54% below)
• Other visits (29% below)
• Complaint investigations (50% below)
• Official inspections (at CA avg) 9 Better Metrics better than California average:
• Total citations (80% below)
• Serious citations (Type A) (67% below)
• Moderate citations (Type B) (75% below)
• Citations per year (80% below)
• Citations per inspection (97% below)
• Total visits (6% below)
• Complaint visits (54% below)
• Other visits (29% below)
• Complaint investigations (50% below)
Latest Inspection
September 17, 2025
Annual Inspection
Citations
|
This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total citations
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
|
2 | 10 | This facility has 80% fewer total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 80% better |
|
Serious citations (Type A)
Violations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action.
|
1 | 3 | This facility has 67% fewer serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (1 vs. CA avg 3).↓ 67% better |
|
Moderate citations (Type B)
Violations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.
|
1 | 4 | This facility has 75% fewer moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (1 vs. CA avg 4).↓ 75% better |
|
Citations per year
Average citations per year since 2021.
|
0.4 | 2 | This facility has 80% fewer citations per year than a typical California assisted living residence (0.4 vs. CA avg 2).↓ 80% better |
|
Citations per inspection
Average citations per inspection.
|
0.1 | 3.3 | This facility has 97% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.1 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 97% better |
Inspections & Visits
|
This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total visits
Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections.
|
15 | 16 | This facility has 6% fewer total visits than a typical California assisted living residence (15 vs. CA avg 16).↓ 6% better |
|
Complaint visits
On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.
|
6 | 13 | This facility has 54% fewer complaint visits than a typical California assisted living residence (6 vs. CA avg 13).↓ 54% better |
|
Other visits
Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits.
|
5 | 7 | This facility has 29% fewer other visits than a typical California assisted living residence (5 vs. CA avg 7).↓ 29% better |
|
Official inspections
Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.
|
4 | 4 | This facility has official inspections in line with the California average (4 vs. CA avg 4).— At avg |
|
Complaint investigations
On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.
|
5 | 10 | This facility has 50% fewer complaint investigations than a typical California assisted living residence (5 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 50% better |
Inspection Reports Summary
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
This facility’s inspection record is mostly clean, with no deficiencies cited in the two most recent inspections on September 17 and September 5, 2025. Past issues included four deficiencies substantiated in January 2024 related to building disrepair and a $500 fine in November 2023 for a resident elopement causing injury. Complaint investigations from 2024 and 2025 found no substantiated violations, showing improvement in resident care and safety compliance.
Read the full inspection reports for this facility, including detailed findings and corrective actions.
Show Inspection ReportsLiving Spaces & Floor Plans for Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Merrill Gardens At Santa Maria 2
Merrill Gardens At Santa Maria1 2
Merrill Gardens At Santa Maria2 2
Merrill Gardens At Santa Maria3 2
Places of interest near Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
2.5 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Santa Maria's city center to Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 0.91 miles to nearest hospital (Advanced Women's Health of the Central Coast)
Calculate Travel Distance to Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
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Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in California
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is located in Santa Maria, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
Compare Assisted Living around Santa Maria
The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
Filter by care type
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| Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria |
AL
Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL
Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC
Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. |
Santa Maria | 330 | Yes | 20 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 59.7% | A+ | Mg At Santa Maria, LP ; Shi-IV Merrill Gp, LLC ; M | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Santa Maria Terrace |
AL
Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL
Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support. |
Santa Maria | 140 | Yes | 24 | 5 | 32 | 13 | 6 | 68.6% | - | Oceano Senior Living, Inc. | Studio / 1 Bed |
| The Oaks at Nipomo |
AL
Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL
Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC
Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. |
Nipomo | 122 | Yes | 43 | 5 | 30 | 9 | - | 82.8% | - | - | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Magnolia and Primrose |
AL
Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. |
Santa Maria | 14 | No | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 64.3% | - | Senior Living Resources | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
Frequently Asked Questions about Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Who is the owner of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?
The legal owner and operator of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is Mg At Santa Maria, Lp ; Shi-Iv Merrill Gp, Llc ; M.
Is Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria in a walkable area?
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria has a walk score of 20. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
What is the occupancy rate at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria's occupancy is 60%.
Who is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?
Michael Easbey is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria.
How many beds does Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria have?
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria has 330 beds.
Has Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria had any recent deficiencies or citations?
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria has had 2 recently reported deficiencies.
What is the address of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is located at 1220 N Suey Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454.
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